Winchester 1876 Semi-Deluxe Rifle w/ Factory Letter

Winchester Model 1876 Semi-Deluxe Rifle.   It features a special-ordered case-colored frame, half octagon barrel, and 1/2 magazine.   Caliber is 40-60.   The 1/2 octagon barrel with button magazine is a very attractive combination on these large frame rifles and was quite popular with sportsmen who enjoyed the combination of the sleeker overall look and lighter weight.   Comes with a factory letter confirming the gun's configuration.   Serial number is in the 55,000 range and was shipped on September 18, 1886.   In spite of the American point of view that a full magazine was better in terms of firepower, it was considered by some hunters to be excessive, dare say "un-sporting" to need a rifle with a full magazine.  Case in point was Theodore Roosevelt who is pictured in one of his earlier photos holding a deluxe 1876 with a half octagon barrel and button magazine similar to this rifle.   The wood is standard grade walnut but does have some extra figure on the left and right sides of the stock.   Winchester often gave their customers better wood with figure/burl on rifles special-ordered with case-colored frames.   Upper tang marked "MODEL 1876".   Barrel and bronze lifter are marked "CAL 40-60" and "40-60" respectively.   Barrel address has standard two-line Winchester address along with 1860 and 1866 patent dates.   Rear sight is a standard semi-buckhorn rear with the ears trimmed back to allow the shooter a broader view.   Front sight is a Rocky Mountain type with large German Silver blade.

Overall condition grades well into NRA Antique Very Good approaching Fine.   Receiver has turned mostly to a light brown to gray patina with 40% faded case colors which have faded mostly to a nickel-silver appearance with some mottling.   There are some bright colors remaining under the lever on the lower tang.   20% Bright fire blue in protected areas of the loading port.   Hammer, lever, fore-end cap, and buttplate all show strong traces of silvered out case colors.   Barrel retains 10-15% original blue mostly in the protected areas such as along the sides of the octagon flat above the edges of the fore-end.   Balance is a light brown patina.   Action is in excellent working order with strong springs as the lever still snaps shut.   Bore is in Good condition with good rifling, not dark, with some scattered pits down in the grooves.   The wood has a nice reddish/brown hue and remains in untouched condition with 65% original varnish on the stock and 25% on fore-end towards the front...balance worn from carry wear.  Wear is mostly light handling marks from normal use.  Perfect wood-to-metal fit...never sanded or finish added.   No cracks or repairs.  One small flake of wood chipped from left edge of receiver...otherwise perfect.   All in all, a nice example of a semi-deluxe 1876 sporting rifle.

Item# 9216

SOLD